With the graduation and commencement season upon us, it seems befitting to impart reflections about leaders at the helm. Leaders can have a tremendous influence upon the next generation coming age. That is, if it is done one at a time. In other words, leaders must take time so others can learn from them.
But, it is not that leaving behind a legacy is not always second nature. It comes naturally to some. For others, the art it can be developed over time.
In an age when many leaders want to be in a position at the helm only to benefit themselves, it makes sense that there are ways to motivate leaders to be more selfless. Woodrow Wilson once said that “You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand.”
With Wilson’s words of wisdom in mind, here are some ways that leaders can take the next step to be more conscientious with leaving behind a meaningful legacy.
1. Document Success – What will be the best indicate for successors is a written plan of success. Where there have been big wins and even small gains, this will be helpful information for the next person in line to lead. Taking time to report on what worked will be more valuable than an “on-the-job-training” for the next leader.
2. Highlight Mistakes – Without a road map that details hazards and perilous conditions then there will not be an opportunity to learn. Taking time to live and learn from challenging situations, unexpected obstacles, and unforeseen circumstances will be valuable. Good leaders who track these situations and provide them as “lessons learned” will leave a tremendous legacy behind.
3. Be the Keeper – Leaders have an obligation to themselves and to other forthcoming leaders. In this way, they must maintain their integrity and ethical standards. By staying on top of priorities and ahead of questionable activities, leaders are the keepers of the appropriate ways to conduct themselves and act accordingly.
Dawn McCoy
Author of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success
